Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is a game-changer for whipping up quick, tasty, and wholesome meals! Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp are crisp on the outside, but plump and juicy on the inside, for the perfect bite every time. Whenever you have a craving for shrimp, turn to your air fryer: it's the easiest and most flavorful way to cook shrimp quickly! Ready in 10 minutes.
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Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer
You might be skeptical about air frying shrimp, but once you give this recipe a try, we guarantee it will become your preferred method for cooking shrimp! Unlike other methods, when you air fry shrimp, you don't have to thaw them first. You can cook the shrimp straight out of the freezer, making this a quick and easy meal you can whip up last minute, no thawing necessary.
And when we say this is a quick and easy shrimp recipe, we mean it. It takes a total cook time of 10 minutes from start to finish, and the only ingredients you need are shrimp, oil, and seasoning, and then you're ready to cook following a few simple steps. Plus, you don't have to watch the pan to make sure you don't overcook your shrimp. If you've cooked your fair share of shrimp before, you know what a big deal this is!
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is convenient, quick, easy, and versatile. You can use it to make everything from shrimp scampi to shrimp tacos and more. Next time you're craving shrimp, turn to your trusty air fryer for an air fryer dinner that will leave you coming back for seconds—we guarantee it will become one of your favorite easy air fryer recipes. Happy air frying!
Ingredients
- Large frozen raw shrimp: Look for frozen shrimp labeled "large" or "jumbo" with the desired count per pound, such as 31-40 per pound. These sizes are ideal for this air fryer recipe. We purchase shrimp that are peeled and deveined with the tails removed. However, tail-on shrimp works for this recipe, too. If you're using fresh shrimp, see our Tips below.
- Oil: Opt for a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or canola oil, which won't add overpowering flavors to the shrimp. The oil helps coat the shrimp evenly with the chili seasoning, and contributes to achieving a crispy texture when air frying. It also prevents the shrimp from sticking to the air fryer basket! Learn more here: Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying.
- Chili seasoning: For the chili seasoning, you can either purchase pre-made chili seasoning from the store, or make it following Our Signature Chili Spice Blend. Chili seasoning adds a burst of spicy, smoky flavor to the shrimp.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a touch of freshness. It's great for pairing with the rich flavors of chili seasoning.
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How to Cook Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer
Step 1 - Prepare the shrimp: Add frozen shrimp to a medium bowl. Toss with oil and chili seasoning to coat completely.
Step 2 - Air fry the shrimp: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the seasoned shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if some of the shrimp stick together. Air fry frozen shrimp until just cooked through, 8-9 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through the cook time to separate any shrimp that are still stuck together.
Step 3 - Remove and serve: When cooked through, remove the shrimp from the air fryer to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy on shrimp tacos, as is with your favorite dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce, or as an addition to pastas and soups!
Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Add frozen shrimp to a medium bowl. Toss with oil and chili seasoning to coat completely.
- Cook the shrimp: Preheat your air fryer oven to 400°F. Once preheated, place the shrimp in a single layer on the air fryer tray. It's okay if some of the shrimp stick together. Air fry for 9-10 minutes on the middle oven rack, until just cooked through. Halfway through the air frying time, carefully separate any shrimp that are still stuck together.
- Remove and serve: When cooked through, remove the shrimp from the air fryer to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- Serve this air fryer shrimp recipe as part of a main dish over pasta or rice, as a salad topper, or as an appetizer with remoulade sauce or cocktail sauce. Air fryer shrimp also pairs well with cauliflower rice, and as the main ingredient in your favorite Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos!
- Tossing the shrimp with oil and seasoning means you do not have to grease the air fryer basket. If you want to grease the basket instead, make sure to use oil spray and not cooking spray. Cooking sprays with additives could break down the non-stick coating of your air fryer. Learn more here: Air Frying Oils
- If your shrimp are fresh, not frozen, season as instructed with oil and chili seasoning, then air fry in your 400°F preheated air fryer for 5-6 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through. Shake the basket halfway through air frying.
- You do not have to turn the shrimp over as they cook. The air fryer will cook the shrimp evenly on all sides without flipping. Just make sure to shake the basket to separate any shrimp that are sticking together halfway through the cook time.
- Cooking times may vary by air fryer brand, so use the provided time and temperature as a reference and adjust as needed.
- Cooking times and temps are based off of a preheated air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
Air Frying Frozen Breaded Shrimp Instructions
Yes, you can air fry frozen breaded shrimp, including butterfly shrimp, following our cooking method! Cook for 8-10 minutes at 400°F. Keep in mind, breaded shrimp are most likely already seasoned. Check the box to be sure, and skip adding any extra seasoning, if necessary.
For popcorn shrimp, the shrimp are most likely smaller, and not jumbo shrimp. If so, cook for only 6-8 minutes. When shrimp is cooked through, it reaches an internal temperature of 120°F.
Storage
Cooked shrimp lasts for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
FAQ
No, you should not thaw the shrimp before air frying. If you've already thawed the shrimp, cook for approximately 5-6 minutes at the same temperature as frozen, depending on the size of your shrimp. When cooked, shrimp will be an opaque white and pink to orange color and have an internal temperature of 120°F.
Get creative! You can also use options like garlic and herb seasoning, lemon pepper, Old Bay seasoning, or even a simple squeeze of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.
Preheating the air fryer helps cook the shrimp evenly. It's recommended for this recipe to ensure the best texture and flavor.
It's best to cook in batches to maintain a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and shrimp that sticks together.
Air Fryer Frozen Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
- Air Fryer Frozen Burrito
- Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
- Frozen Biscuits in Air Fryer
- Try all of our Air Fryer Frozen Foods recipes!
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 Tablespoon Chili seasoning
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
How to Cook Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer (Basket Version)
- Add frozen shrimp to a medium bowl. Toss with oil and chili seasoning to coat completely.1 pound frozen large shrimp, 1 Tablespoon oil, 1 Tablespoon Chili seasoning
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the seasoned shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if some of the shrimp stick together. Air fry frozen shrimp until just cooked through, 8-9 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through the cook time to separate any shrimp that are still stuck together.
- When cooked through, remove the shrimp from the air fryer to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!Chopped fresh parsley
Countertop Air Fryer Oven Instructions
- Add frozen shrimp to a medium bowl. Toss with oil and chili seasoning to coat completely.
- Preheat your air fryer oven to 400°F. Once preheated, place the shrimp in a single layer on the air fryer tray. It's okay if some of the shrimp stick together. Air fry for 9-10 minutes on the middle oven rack, until just cooked through. Halfway through the air frying time, carefully separate any shrimp that are still stuck together.
- When cooked through, remove the shrimp from the air fryer to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- We purchase shrimp that are peeled and deveined with the tails removed. However, tail-on shrimp works for this recipe, too.
-
- Tossing the shrimp with oil and seasoning means you do not have to grease the air fryer basket. If you want to grease the basket instead, make sure to use oil spray and not cooking spray. Cooking sprays with additives could break down the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
-
- If your shrimp are fresh, not frozen, season as instructed with oil and chili seasoning, then air fry in your 400°F preheated air fryer for 5-6 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through. Shake the basket halfway through air frying.
-
- You do not have to turn the shrimp over as they cook. Just make sure to shake the basket to separate any shrimp that are sticking together halfway through the cook time.
-
- Cooking times may vary by air fryer brand, so use the provided time and temperature as a reference and adjust as needed.
-
- Cooking times and temps are based off of a preheated air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
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